Several moves have taken place in the women’s football scene in Cymru in recent days, as the winter transfer window approaches its conclusion for clubs in the Genero Adran Premier, with Wednesday’s deadline just around the corner.
The New Saints have had both incomings and outgoings, both from across the border. Central defender Natasha Shepley has signed from Cheadle Town Stingers in the FA Women’s National League.
Formerly of Manchester City’s youth, the 22-year-old adds to TNS’ defensive options. Additionally on the defensive side, The Saints have signed goalkeeper Orla Howard on loan from West Bromwich Albion. This transfer marks the first loan move of a player from the English pyramid to the Welsh game in women’s football.
Having represented Cymru at U17s level, the 18-year-old will compete in the domestic senior game for the first time. Cymru Sport understands there was interest elsewhere in the Genero Adran Premier in the goalkeeper, but it’s TNS who have made the move.
Howard adds to the goalkeeping union of Mackenzie Haydn-Jones, Charlie Scott and Megan Bowen, with the latter returning from her loan spell at Connah’s Quay Nomads at the start of the January window.
However, there has also been a major outgoing at The New Saints, and a major coup for Wrexham AFC. Former Cymru international Maria Francis-Jones has joined the Genero Adran Premier title challengers, on a contract until the end of the 2026/27 campaign.
A first publicly known fee paid for a player in Welsh domestic football, right wing-back Francis-Jones completes the move for an undisclosed fee, after nearly two seasons at the current Genero Adran Trophy holders, a competition that she was vital to TNS winning.
Focused on defensive recruitments, Francis-Jones was not the only signing of the weekend for Jenny Sugarman’s side. Canadian central defender Sarah Harvey joined The Red Dragons on Saturday evening, from FA Women’s National League side Lewes.
Harvey has experience playing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers, having played in Georgia, Hungary and her home nation, Canada.
Both Harvey and Francis-Jones add to the signing of defender Mikayla Wildgoose from Derby County, earlier on in the window.
One signing has been made in tier two in recent days, with Carmarthen Town of the Genero Adran South completing the signing of forward Maeve Lightfoot from Perago West Wales League side Burry Port AFC.
Lightfoot made 16 appearances in all competitions since joining the club in 2024. She was included in the Carmarthen U19s squad on Friday, in a 2-2 draw with Cardiff City.
FA Women’s National League side Gwalia United have also been busy in the past week, as they strengthen their bid to avoid relegation in tier three of the English football pyramid.
Two of those signings have a Genero Adran Premier connection, with Imi Scourfield signing directly from top flight side Aberystwyth Town.
The midfielder from Haverfordwest has been a star player for The Seasiders in recent seasons, and now makes the move to the FAWNL.
Former Cardiff City forward Molly Kehoe has also joined Gwalia, signing from West Bromwich Albion. The South Wales side also confirmed the signing of midfielder Anna Powell, having previously played in the United States.
On the international scene, Cymru midfielder Charlie Estcourt joined Portsmouth after departing DC Power, whilst Cymru U19 international Scarlett Hill joined Sheffield United, on loan from Manchester United.
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